Hardwood flooring can be installed in a variety of special circumstance areas such as on stairs or around brickwork. For
best results, you'll most likely need to install hardwood
transitions or trims. Not sure what these are or how they can help complete your hardwood flooring project? Find the
information by reading below or clicking on one of the links above for our full Installing Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
guide.

Choose from the following hardwood transitions when installing hardwood on stairs:

Prefabricated stair treads and risers.

Stair nose and flooring boards.

Safety is a major concern when installing hardwood on stairs. All stairs should be glued as well as nailed/screwed down
every 8".

For complete installation instructions and safety information, see the full Installing Prefinished Hardwood
Flooring guide above.

When installing hardwood around brickwork (such as fireplaces) you can:

Undercut the brickwork and install the hardwood underneath. The brickwork will cover all expansion spacing.

Install the hardwood flush with brickwork and use end molding to hide the expansion spacing.

Transitions and Trims

Install transitions and trim to hide all the expansion spacing and put the finishing touches on your room.

Once your floor is completed, you can install your transition pieces to hide the expansion spacing at doorways as well
as transition to other types of flooring. The following transition pieces can be used:

T–Molding – For transitions between hardwood floors and interior/exterior doorways and transitions between
similar height flooring surfaces.

Flush Stair Nose – Used on steps (such as into a sunken living room) or on staircases to provide the proper
overhang.

End Molding/Square Nose/Universal Edge – For carpet, similar height floors or outside threshold transitions; also
can be used around brickwork.

Hardwood transitions are either glued to the subfloor with a quality adhesive or secured using trim tracks. Floating
hardwood floors may need shims installed below certain
transitions for additional support.

Install Trim

Install all wall base, shoe base and quarter round to hide the expansion spacing around the perimeter of the room. Always
glue the trim to the wall. Do NOT glue to the subfloor. Nail trim at an angle to the wall every 16". Use caulk to hide
significant gaps between the trim and the wall.

Correct Defects

Use wood filler, putty sticks or stain to correct any defects and fill all nail holes. Only use fillers designed
specifically for hardwood floors.